Parking brake details

[Jeepr]

Does anyone have notes from the service manual about the parking brake? I installed a lift this weekend on the jeep and when I reconnected the parking brake cable at the connection through the backing plate, I noticed one of the cables had a lot of slack in it like it had came disconnected but I have not found any details for how the cables connect to the parking lever or if they possible have another attachment point...

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[limeade]

Exact same thing happened to me and here's what I did:

Under the rear part of the center console, the 2 e-brake cables enter the interior and are then connected together at the adjuster. One of the cable's ends has simply come out of the end of the adjuster. I initially traced it by having my son sit in the Jeep while i pushed/pulled on the loose cable. He was able to hear where the end of the cable was by doing this.

If you look at each side of the console from the back seat area, you will see two small panels on each side of the console. Use a plastic trim tool or small screwdriver (be careful to not scratch the console) to pop off these covers, which will expose a bolt (they're metric, not sure which size). Remove both of these bolts and the rear portion of the console can be raised a few inches. You can disassemble the front console too so you can have more room, but I did not do this to save time and I really didn't know what all was involved with the front half.

By raising the rear of the console up, you can look under it and see the two cables along with the adjuster mechanism. On the rear of the adjuster (pointing towards the back of the jeep) is a nut on a piece of all-thread rod. By using a deep metric socket (again, can't remember the size) and some extensions and ratchet, loosen this nut buy turning to the left (typical righty tighty - lefty loosey thing). You'll need to loosen it enough so you can get the cable end back into the adjuster mechanism, it's slotted and the cable end slips down into this slot. I counted how many half turns it took so I could get it back to it's original state.

Once the cable end is in place and the adjuster nut is back to where it originally was, you'll need to ensure the parking brake isn't being pulled prematurely due to the cables being too tight. Put your rear axle on jack stands so you can spin each rear tire freely. While spinning each tire, check for drag and loosen (or tighten) as necessary. There will probably be a very small amount of drag due to the bearings, etc. but there should not be any drag from the actual e-brake shoes. While I was spinning the tire, my son would tighten the adjuster nut so I can feel and see the parking brake drag. I would then have him slow loosen the adjuster, again while spinning, so I could see and feel when the drag went away. I did this for both sides until I was happy there was no drag and the parking brake lever was engaging correctly. You should be able to tell whether the handle engages way to soon (like only a few clicks up) or if it is able to be raised without any force (to loose). I had to loosen the adjuster a tiny bit from stock when all was said and done. The process is a lot easier if you can have some in the cab working the parking brake lever and adjust the parking brake adjuster while you spin each rear wheel.

When you get the brake cables adjusted where you want them, bolt the console back together and drive to ensure all is good. By taking a normal drive, you can tell if your parking brakes are too tight due to the burning brake smell and your rear rotors will be SUPER hot.

It's a fairly easy process, but there's not a lot of room to work and see what you're doing with only the rear of the console loose. I was able to get it done by looking where the cable needed to go and then do it by feel.

 

[Jeepr]

Exact same thing happened to me and here's what I did:

Under the rear part of the center console, the 2 e-brake cables enter the interior and are then connected together at the adjuster. One of the cable's ends has simply come out of the end of the adjuster. I initially traced it by having my son sit in the Jeep while i pushed/pulled on the loose cable. He was able to hear where the end of the cable was by doing this.

If you look at each side of the console from the back seat area, you will see two small panels on each side of the console. Use a plastic trim tool or small screwdriver (be careful to not scratch the console) to pop off these covers, which will expose a bolt (they're metric, not sure which size). Remove both of these bolts and the rear portion of the console can be raised a few inches. You can disassemble the front console too so you can have more room, but I did not do this to save time and I really didn't know what all was involved with the front half.

By raising the rear of the console up, you can look under it and see the two cables along with the adjuster mechanism. On the rear of the adjuster (pointing towards the back of the jeep) is a nut on a piece of all-thread rod. By using a deep metric socket (again, can't remember the size) and some extensions and ratchet, loosen this nut buy turning to the left (typical righty tighty - lefty loosey thing). You'll need to loosen it enough so you can get the cable end back into the adjuster mechanism, it's slotted and the cable end slips down into this slot. I counted how many half turns it took so I could get it back to it's original state.

Once the cable end is in place and the adjuster nut is back to where it originally was, you'll need to ensure the parking brake isn't being pulled prematurely due to the cables being too tight. Put your rear axle on jack stands so you can spin each rear tire freely. While spinning each tire, check for drag and loosen (or tighten) as necessary. There will probably be a very small amount of drag due to the bearings, etc. but there should not be any drag from the actual e-brake shoes. While I was spinning the tire, my son would tighten the adjuster nut so I can feel and see the parking brake drag. I would then have him slow loosen the adjuster, again while spinning, so I could see and feel when the drag went away. I did this for both sides until I was happy there was no drag and the parking brake lever was engaging correctly. You should be able to tell whether the handle engages way to soon (like only a few clicks up) or if it is able to be raised without any force (to loose). I had to loosen the adjuster a tiny bit from stock when all was said and done. The process is a lot easier if you can have some in the cab working the parking brake lever and adjust the parking brake adjuster while you spin each rear wheel.

When you get the brake cables adjusted where you want them, bolt the console back together and drive to ensure all is good. By taking a normal drive, you can tell if your parking brakes are too tight due to the burning brake smell and your rear rotors will be SUPER hot.

It's a fairly easy process, but there's not a lot of room to work and see what you're doing with only the rear of the console loose. I was able to get it done by looking where the cable needed to go and then do it by feel.

Thank you for the direction. I attached a picture of the bracket you found that was underneath the console in case someone else has this issue. The two bolts that have to be removed to access this bracket are 10 mm. Also I disconnected the cable from the brakes at the backing plate so I did not have to verify the adjustment afterwards. So I disconnected created slack in the cable so I could attach the pictured bracket first.

 

[TiredPinoy]

I recently had the same issue with my 2020 Sahara's e brake. Opened up the center console to try and tighten the adjuster but realized one of the lines was completely disconnected. Did you have to replace the line altogether or not? If so, can you share the part number/link you went with? I'm having a hard time finding it. Appreciate it

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